Fights and Flirtations

Alexandra fumed as she stormed out, down the stairs, through the hallways trying to find her way out of the castle. She and Marguerite had had their disagreements before, as all friends, families and co-workers do, but in her mind none were as bitter or as close to the truth as this one.

Rita had never been fond of Society, at least outside of opium dens, brothels and laboratories, while Alexandra reveled in it. She loved the luxury of high society and how moving in those circles came naturally to her, partially due to her skills in dressmaking.

But it was Marguerite’s last words that really hit home: “If you took that silk off of your eyes you might find your own ship and tinkerer.”

Alex knew well who she would like to have courting her. In fact, that very magician had made it plain he was interested, but the fortune teller knew his habits with women. And she personally preferred a familiar lover over a new one in every town like many of the circus folk did.

Caught up in her own thoughts, she stumbled and almost fell as she turned the corner at the bottom of a spiral staircase when a pair of strong arms caught her.

“Slow down, Alexandra,” Asmodeus murmured as he held onto her until she righted herself.

The fortune teller straightened sharply. “What are you doing?”

“Making sure you don’t kill yourself. These stairs can be rather steep.”

“I’m fine Asmodeus!” The fortune teller yelled suddenly, turning her back to him, “Why don’t you just leave me alone?” The magician grabbed her by her shoulders and spun her around. Alexandra glared daggers at him. “So, why?”

“Because, I…” the magician paused, carefully choosing his next words, “I’d rather not see you get hurt.”

To his surprise, Alex neither slapped nor yelled at him. Instead, she just stared.

Encouraged, Asmodeus slipped an arm around her waist and started guiding her down the hallway to an exit of the castle.

“Look, Alex, don’t take Rita’s words too hard. You’re a part of this family you’re the only one who knows how to properly dress all the acts. And I don’t think your fabric is just a collection of rags, we need it to properly clothe the Cirque.”

The fortune teller half smiled, “I do suppose Colette would still look like a ragamuffin I hadn’t come along…”

“Exactly,” Asmodeus continued. “Also you have your own ship, a rather fine one at that. And as for a “tinkerer” I know you’ve had offers before…” Asmodeus trailed off, a sly grin on his face.

A reddish tinge coloured Alexandra’s cheeks at his words. “Yes, I suppose I have.”

“Of course, none of them are quite the caliber as I am…” He said squeezing her corseted waist fondly.

Alexandra elbowed him sharply in the side, stepping out of the circle of his arm. The magician winced, laughing, “All right, all right...”

They walked in relatively comfortable silence out of the castle and across the field to the Cirque. The sun had started slanting through the trees as Alexandra and Asmodeus neared where the ships were anchored.

The magician bowed and opened the door to her ship. “Come on, we need to hurry to get ready in time for dinner. You’re the only one besides me even remotely knows how to behave around royalty. And we need to get you out of those regular clothes and into something fit for dinner with a king.”

The fortune teller stopped, turned and glared at the magician, “you’re not getting anywhere near my corset laces.”

Asmodeus grinned fiendishly, “I wouldn’t dream of it. So, I’ll meet you here in ten minutes, it shouldn’t take that long for you to find something proper to wear.”

“Very well, I’ll see you shortly.” Alexandra replied before firmly shut the door to her ship and hurried to her wardrobe.

The fortune teller hadn’t been in this high of society lately, as the recent fortunes of the Cirque had lead them to choose smaller cities to perform in, but she still had her finer dresses neatly stored in a cedar chest. Alexandra quickly sorted through them, trying to find one that would be suitable for dining with a king. Finally, she settled on an old style blue watered silk dinner dress with a full, high bustle. The fortune teller loved the deep square neckline and elbow length sleeves both edged in antique gold lace and a graceful waterfall bustle.

Quickly changing into the fancy dinner dress, Alexandra fixed her hair with gold pins, wrapped a fine black lace shawl around her shoulders and hurried out of the ship to meet Asmodeus.

“Ah, perfect timing!” He greeted her, gesturing with his ebony and gold tipped cane. The magician looked dapper in a subtle black brocade tailcoat lined in flashy red satin. His waistcoat was fine gold silk and his pants smooth wool. A red jeweled cravat pin flashed from the intricate knot of white silk.

Asmodeus offered Alexandra his arm and, after a moment’s hesitation, she took it and they walked together back up to the castle for dinner with the King.

The Seer and the Scientist

Marguerite cleared her throat and squared her shoulders.

“My new ship is acceptable. I will need help adapting a portion for the menagerie, of course, but considering our unusual venue at the moment, there is time to accommodate for the new space.” She looked from Alexandra, who was staring blankly at her spattering of German, to Asmodeus. “What is it?” She said in German, patting down wild strands of hair. She felt uncomfortable all of a sudden, wondering at the expectant looks of her visitors, and very aware of Froderick approaching from the front of the ship.

“You are invited to attend dinner with the king this evening,” Asmodeus replied, switching to French.

“What?” She said with greater earnestness. Froderick appeared beside her, straightening his shirt.

“The king discussed such a dinner with the Cirque’s leaders,” he said. “I suggested that your company might make matters more comfortable. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course I mind. What would I do at a formal dinner?” Marguerite said.

“Wine and dine, as tends to happen at these events,” Asmodeus said.

“Absolutely not.”

“No? I suppose you could bring your animals. Not sure how the king would take to them running about the table, though…”

Marguerite frowned at Asmodeus.

“Alexandra, kindly explain to this gentleman that I will not be attending this dinner.”

“I think it would be fitting to see those creatures terrorize the royal hall. I had to put up with it for long enough.”

“You are not still upset about a few accidents,” Marguerite said.

Alexandra fumed.

“A few – you managed to ruin at least one of every kind of fabric I possessed in that tent!”

“There is enough fabric in your possession to clothe a city. I don’t see how my short stay with you could ruin all that much.”

Asmodeus and Froderick exchanged looks. Neither cared to see the result of the current conversation, nor did they care to know what happened if they intervened.

“Those were my best materials, meant to add to the experience of my divination. I must look respectable, unlike other side shows in this circus.”

“I don’t deceive my patrons into thinking the animals can tell their future. I also don’t see how you can make a living, buying all that nonsense that you do.”

“At least I have something to show. What do you have now? A magical ship and a mechanic? Will you prance about with those and your little pests at dinner tonight? You probably didn’t even have a fitting wardrobe for a king before the fire, let alone now.”

Alexandra’s words stung. Marguerite held her hands behind her back and stuck out her chin.

“Then at least I do not hide what I have – a man at my side and a vessel to carry us in. You wouldn’t admit to that much even if your dainty collection of rags were threatened with incineration, blind as you are to everything but other people’s matters and bits of cloth. If you took that silk off of your eyes you might find your own ship and tinkerer.”

Alexandra’s jaw dropped. Marguerite maintained her cold composure until her friend closed her mouth and stormed away from the ship.

“Rita, you’re shaking,” Froderick said.

Asmodeus watched as Alexandra ran out of the hangar.

“This should make dinner even more interesting… so are you going?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Be there at six. I am sure Froderick will know someone who could find you something to wear.”

Marguerite watched him run after Alexandra. Froderick placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I have problems with social formalities,” she said.

“I see.”

“That means I don’t want to go to dinner.”

“But it’s the king.”

“But I’m a scientist. And a poor excuse for a friend, it seems.”

After a pause, Froderick spoke again.

“The king has allocated me space for a lab, which you have permission to use if you go to this dinner. I am sure you could mention some of your work to the king as well.”

Marguerite managed to forget the hurtful words for the moment, thinking instead of the notes she was almost done recreating.

“I have not seen a proper lab in three years… Are you sure you want me there, knowing I tend to destroy things?”

Froderick smiled.

“I hope you don’t think this ship began as a neat little frame. I had the hangar cluttered with parts for so long I was nearly banned from working on any other projects until it was finished. No one else could find their way around the place.”

Marguerite’s composure relaxed as she laughed at the image. She turned to the mechanic and leaned against him.

“Fine, I will attend dinner. But don’t expect thrilling dinner conversation.”

“I think you would have brilliant dinner conversation.”

“I certainly would. I just don’t have any appropriate outside the company of scientists, drunkards, and opiates.”

“Let’s start with making you look appropriate.”

“That means taking off clothes.”

“I believe it does.”

“And we have a while before the need to put any more on.”

“Perhaps we should find something appropriate for you to wear, first.”

Marguerite sighed. “Oh, I suppose. To the royal seamstress, then.”

Maybe I won’t chase this one off, Marguerite thought to herself as they left the hangar.